Remembering Taylor Farnsworth

By TAYLOR CASEY
Executive Editor

The College of Saint Rose community and The Chronicle staff mourned the loss of 2018 graduate, Taylor Farnsworth, who passed away on Jan. 25.

Farnsworth was born and raised in Niskayuna, and graduated from Shenendehowa High School in 2014. She studied communications, journalism and writing at The College of Saint Rose. During her time here, she also received the prestigious Sister Patricia Kane Writing Award in Journalism. She had also worked with The Daily Gazette in Schenectady as an intern in her senior year.

After graduating from college, Farnsworth worked as a news producer at WTEN Albany.

While studying at Saint Rose, Farnsworth was heavily involved with The Chronicle, and was named opinions editor her senior year.

“Taylor and I first talked about her applying to be an editor when we were peer-editing papers in our Communication Theory class,” said Katelyn Pierce, a 2018 Saint Rose graduate and former executive editor of The Chronicle. “We were the only two who stayed behind to make sure we gave thorough feedback. Afterwards, we talked about how important writing is to each of us and what we like to write about. I knew we would have an opening on our staff and that she would make a brilliant addition to our team.”

Kyle Pratt, who also graduated from Saint Rose in 2018 and was an editor for The Chronicle, was also deeply saddened by the news of Farnsworth’s passing.

“Taylor had a passion for writing that was unlike anyone else’s, and I could feel it with each word of hers I read,” said Pratt. “She was a regular contributor to the opinions section when I was the editor and when it came time to suggest my replacement, she was my first choice.”

He recalled how much her passion for writing grew with each piece she wrote, and how her time at The Chronicle strengthened their friendship as well.

“We could talk about anything and she’d always offer her advice. I will forever miss our conversations,” said Pratt.

Farnsworth wrote a variety of pieces for The Chronicle, and she was most passionate about having a voice to convey a message; especially when talking about something important.

Farnsworth was very well-known and loved by her friends and professors at Saint Rose.

“Taylor was one of the most amazing people I’ve had the pleasure of ever knowing,” said Elizabeth Valentin, fellow 2018 Saint Rose graduate. “She really wanted to leave a mark in this world, and I think she’s left a mark on everyone who was lucky enough to know her.”

Valentin also worked with Farnsworth on The Chronicle as the arts editor last year.

“She had a brilliant mind and a kind soul. I really miss her,” said Valentin. “She had a blog, where she wrote a lot about politics. She cared about making sure people who didn’t have a voice had someone to speak for them. Her blog is worth checking out if you haven’t already.”

Another person who was impacted by Farnsworth was her classmate Chassidy Medina. She remembered Farnsworth’s kindness to drive from off campus in the early morning to work on a project. Medina said that even though she had accidently overslept and their meeting, Farnsworth was understanding and had left her a sweet voicemail.

“Taylor was a phenomenal person, the type who’d give the shirt off their back to somebody else,” said Medina. “She was extremely hardworking and everything she did told its own story whether it was a painting, a photo, an article or a text message. She was the perfect blend of sass, sweetness and social activism. She was just too sweet you couldn’t think bad of her”

Farnsworth was not just loved by her co-editors and classmates, but her professors as well.

“Taylor distinguished herself first as a good, kind, generous student who thought of others, and cared deeply,” said Cailin Brown, associate professor and chair of the communications department.

As someone who was pursuing a career in the field of writing, Farnsworth was in many of Brown’s journalism classes.

“She was fully engaged and contributed thoughtfully to conversations. She was beautiful both inside and out. The profession and humanity are diminished by this loss.”

Along with being heavily involved with the communications department, as a writing minor, she spent a lot of her time with professors in the English department.

“Taylor was a student in English 311: Creative Nonfiction class in Fall 2016,” said Daniel Nester, associate professor of English. “She immediately stood out as a student who would try anything in their writing, and was more than willing to let herself be the object of scrutiny.”

Farnsworth was someone who expressed herself in her writing, and Nester said she wrote about everything. Whether it was her family, relationships, love or the tumultuous life of being a teenager. He remembered how humble and open-hearted she was during workshops, and how one could not have hoped for a better student.

“Taylor and I met for coffee just three weeks ago,” said Nester. “It was great to see her again. She was all smiles, and still had that passion for writing. I couldn’t’ve been more proud of her and how she was making her way out in the real world. We talked about a book she wanted to write. I am broken-hearted now, knowing I won’t get to read that book.”

Liz Richards, assistant professor and former advisor of Farnsworth felt very similar.

“I met her in her first year,” said Richards. “I saw her grow so much in four years. She started out as unsure about her abilities, and sometimes self-conscious, and over time, I saw her blossom into someone who began to recognize her power and believe in herself.”

Richards especially admired the work Farnsworth and Valentin did in organizing the rally about the Parkland shooting in their final semester at school.
“She was so attentive and always sat in the front of the room,” said Richards. “She was always so courteous and smiled anytime I saw her. She was quiet both in and out of class, but I realized over time that she was a keen observer of whatever was going on around her, which is exactly what a good reporter should be.”

Farnsworth left behind a legacy within the lives of those who knew her, and those here at The College of Saint Rose.

“Taylor was one of those students who made me believe in the future,” said Richards. “I was reassured knowing she was out there making a difference. I mourn her and I miss her.”

Services for Farnsworth were held last Friday at Dufresne and Cavanaugh Funeral home in Latham. The line extended out of the door and into the cold from 3-6 p.m. It was clear that the community truly lost a treasured person.

“If there is any consolation, it’s that her passion and talent for writing will forever be around for us to enjoy and rejoice in. I find comfort in that,” said Pratt.

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